After our various introductions
to XML, we will put it to good use with a usable application. As a meta
language, XML can be used to create text-based files that can be accessed by any
application that reads XML. To highly support this language, the .NET Framework
provides various classes that allow you to create very effective applications
without investing a lot in client/server stuff.

In this lesson, we are going to create an application for a
business that sells auto parts. The items sold in the store and the inventory
are stored as XML files. When an employee is performing a customer order, we
make the application friendly with lists that allow the user to select the
necessary information using combo boxes. These include the year, the make and
the model that allow to identify the specific car that a part is made for. After
selecting the necessary parts, the employee can save the order. The order also
is saved as an XML file.

All the orders of one particular day are saved to a common
file. This allows the management to review the orders for a particular day. To
review such orders, they can open another form that is equipped with a Date
Picker and a DataGrid controls. The employee selects a date and the grid
displays the list of items sold for that day, if any.